Raghunath Mohanty and Jiban Pradeep Das Rejoin BJD in Balasore

Balasore, Odisha: In a significant political development, former Minister Raghunath Mohanty and ex‑MLA Jiban Pradeep Das have rejoined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), strengthening the party’s organisational base in northern Odisha.

The leaders were welcomed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas before their formal induction at Sankha Bhawan, where senior party members and grassroots workers gathered.

Mohanty pledged to work as a disciplined member under Patnaik’s leadership, while Das, returning after five years outside the party, expressed his commitment to reorganise BJD in Balasore.

The induction was introduced by Lekhasri Samantsinghar, BJD’s candidate for the Balasore Lok Sabha seat in the last election.

Several prominent leaders, including MLAs and former ministers from Balasore district, attended the ceremony, underscoring the strategic importance of the move.

Party insiders view this as a major push to reclaim BJD’s stronghold in northern Odisha ahead of upcoming political battles.